Playing Drums: the Basics

Everyone has played some type of drums at some point in their life. You may not remember beating on every pot and pan in the house, but I'm sure your parents do. Even tapping a beat on your desk could be considered very basic drumming. So you're ready to move on to something a bit more advanced and play a real drum set. The basics are simple. The rest; however, is completely up to your imagination.

~The Time Signature

A time signature tells you how to count your beats. The normal time signature is 4/4 and means each quarter note equals one beat, or four beats per measure. Even you have no clue how to read sheet music, simply listen to your favorite song and count the beats. You will discover a pattern, normally in groups of 3 or 4.

~Keep a Steady Beat

When you know your count, it's time to keep a steady beat. Drums are the foundation for a band. The drummer must keep a consistent rhythm for the rest of the band to follow. No one wants to listen to a song whose beat is all over the place.

Start with a basic four beat rhythm or groove. It may be worth the money to invest in a metronome. This device counts off each beat with a small ticking sound for you to follow. You can set your tempo and some even allow you to input the time signature as well.

Practice the beat at different tempos until you can keep up the rhythm without the metronome. Don't focus so much on the exact timing, but more on feeling the beat naturally. If you can feel the rhythm, you're well on your way to playing the drums.

~Don't Strangle Your Sticks

Holding too loosely or tightly to your drum sticks will hurt your hands and your playing. Obviously, holding on too loosely will more than likely result in something around you breaking as flying drum sticks wreak havoc in your home. However, a death grip on you drum sticks will cause you to tense and ruin your timing. You will also tire much more quickly.

You should have a firm grip on the sticks that allows for a slight bounce as you strike the drum. Basically, do what feels most comfortable to you.

~Practice, Practice, Practice

The basics of drumming are simple. However, practice is the key to becoming a true drummer. Listening to your favorite songs will provide inspiration and plenty of music to work with. It might not hurt to start with some simple acoustic or slow songs before attempting any high tempo rock anthems. Most importantly, relax, have fun, and let your inner rock star shine through.

For more information, visit How To Play Drums.